Mexico & Brazil - To bring DSLR or not to?

[esoeij]

Hi CSers,

I am going to Mexico City and a few cities in Brazil (Sao Paulo, Rio De Janeiro, Brasilia). I am likely to stick to the well-trodden touristy places as I am on a business trip and plan to try squeezing in some R&R whenever I can, won't have time to be adventurous even if I wanted to.

I've done a search on CS and seen a few threads about WHERE to go, and a few threads about general safety precautions. What I want to know is whether it's safe enough to lug a DSLR around? Or safer to just use a compact? My guide book to Mexico says things like "...camera snatching are the most common threats and can occur anywhere...", "...Mexico City has a relatively high level of street crime and it is important to be vigilant at all times...". Wah lao, not very reassuring advice, and I haven't even done research for Brazil yet!

I was thinking of bringing a compact plus a DSLR with a UWA lens. Dunno whether I should just play safe and bring one only.

Any advice, especially from those who've been to these specific cities?

Thanks!